Steep rise in parking costs for hospitals

PRICES SET TO DOUBLE FOR SOME VISITORS FROM TODAY

PARKING charges at Newcastle hospitals are to rise steeply today.

In some cases visitors will see prices double from £6 to £12 for a five-hour stay, while others could see a 67% increase when staying up to an hour.

The new charges will apply across the Trust’s hospital sites, including the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital.

The city’s NHS Foundation Trust has said the decision to introduce the new charges has not been taken lightly.

The change is likely to provoke anger. However, there are concessions available for those struggling to afford the rise. The NHS Foundation Trust said: “This can be extremely distressing for our patients as it can lead to lengthy delays and on some occasions, has resulted in patients missing appointments while trying to get parked. We continue to do everything we can to support those people accessing our services and have introduced a number of concessions to minimise any impact on our patients and those visiting loved ones.”

“We have introduced a long-stay patient tariff so those patients who are with us for longer than four hours will have their parking capped. Alongside this we have a wide range of concessions to support different patient groups.

“Concessions available include free parking for those patients attending frequently and free overnight parking for parents whose children are admitted to hospital and stay overnight.

“Reduced tariffs are also available for those visiting long-stay patients and anyone who has an unplanned or emergency admission.”

Patients who are in receipt of qualifying benefits may also claim travel expenses through the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme if applicable.